Bitches on a Budget: Sage Advice for Surviving Tough Times in Style [Paperback]

Rosalyn Hoffman (Author)

Book Description

Release date: December 29, 2009

A witty, recession-era guide to being thrifty while not forgoing the fabulous.

Today's woman may have a dwindling stock portfolio, but that shouldn't make her bite one well-manicured nail with worry. Rosalyn Hoffman dishes up the wisdom women need to get perfect style without busting what's left of their bank accounts.

The author is a recession-era fashion guru, travel agent, grooming consultant, therapist, sommelier, and life coach all rolled into one, and with this book vows no coupon clipping, Prada depriving, carb hating allowed. Because it doesn't take oodles of moola to live well- and that's one trend that will never go out of style.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The book melds two fads: Deal with having less during the recession, and the Girl, get a clue! category popularized by books like He's Just Not That into You. A former department store buyer and marketing executive, Hoffman echoes the often trotted-out advice that women should invest in a few quality items they'll enjoy wearing, looking at or using for years to come, and cut back on everything else. Much of her suggestions are obvious—shop at cheaper retail stores, for example, or get haircuts less often. Rather than being about saving money, the book is about spending it—the Hoffman way. This contradiction aside, a sassy tone and abundant—if not always successful—ribald jokes make frugality seem fun. (Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Rosalyn Hoffman is a former buyer for Bonwit teller, Filene's, and Lord & Taylor in New York City. She was also a marketing executive for Avon and Lillian Vernon. She speaks Chinese and has traveled extensively in China. In addition to being a serious cook and wine collector, she has lived and studied cooking in France and has traveled the world cataloging changing markets. Aside from food and cooking, her other passion is design and architecture. She has worked with award-winning architects in the building and design of several modern homes that have garnered awards and international recognition.

Roz is a Buzz Board Insider and a contributor to The Daily Beast, and her work has appeared on More Magazine online and Divine Caroline. Bitches on a Budget has been featured on the JWT Anxiety Index, a measure of significant cultural movements, and its television rights have been optioned by Sharp Entertainment. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: NAL Trade (December 29, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451229177
• ISBN-13: 978-0451229175
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.7 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #47,193 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #65 in Books > Education & Reference > Consumer Guides

More About the Author

Rosalyn Hoffman is a former buyer for Bonwit Teller, Filene's, and Lord & Taylor in New York City. She was also a marketing executive for Avon and Lillian Vernon. She speaks Chinese and has traveled extensively in China. In addition to being a serious cook and wine collector, she has lived and studied cooking in France and has traveled the world cataloging changing markets. Aside from food and cooking, her other passion is design and architecture. She has worked with award-winning architects in the building and design of several modern homes that have garnered awards and international recognition.

Roz writes regularly for The Huffington Post. Also, look for her on the The Daily Beast where she is a Buzz Board Insider. Her work has appeared on More Magazine online, Divine Caroline and This Magnificent Life. Bitches on a Budget has been featured on the JWT Anxiety Index, a measure of significant cultural movements, and its television rights have been optioned by Sharp Entertainment.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious! December 29, 2009

By Neatfreak

Format:Paperback

I never heard of this author before, and really like her voice! Naughty, funny, and direct. Some sections remind you to do what you already knew... standard money-saving stuff, but it's all relayed in a fresh voice, which makes it fun to read (and makes me more likely to actually use the advice). Most of the book is original tips for living well on a budget, like specific products to try, good brands, places to buy stuff, info on how the retail world works, so you don't fall victim to their traps. Love it!!!

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Maybe for Millionaires March 10, 2010

By H. Fehrenbach

Format:Paperback

Seriously, if you are an average person needing real financial advice this book is not for you. If you need advice on negotiating plastic surgery, justification for splurging on "that hot new blouse", a how to on properly complaining at a restaurant to get free food, or a lesson in what it sounds like to have a high class potty mouth then this is the book for you.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars So glad I found this book!! December 29, 2009

By Kate Austin

Format:Paperback

Cool. I wasn't sure what to expect but this is really funny. Hey, I'm not that old and so I don't get really uptight when people say politically incorrect things (love Colbert), so I love the idea of being a bitch. Anyway, this book is awesome. It's full of smart jokes and I really learned a lot. Like I never knew the way stores bought stuff and planned to mark them down or about the sample sale sites that are springing up all over the place online to buy high end at low price. And, since I'm in my first apartment the ideas about how to decorate are actually really helpful. Pamper the Bitch may be my favorite chapter---love the pet stuff. Anyway, I heard about this from a friend and downloaded it today, read it before she did (ha! beat her to it) and now I think everyone should buy it because it's just fun to read.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars If you want to save money DON'T BUY THIS BOOK!!! September 25, 2010

By S. Frank

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is the worst advice book I have ever purchased. Not only does she not really tell you ways to save money, she tell you to SPEND more money. Advice like getting a personal trainer and to go ahead and invest in Botox is useless if you are really on a budget. I am not sure who she was trying to help, but this book did nothing for me. If you are on a budget and really want to save money, don't buy this book. It was a waste of time!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Bitches UNITE! December 29, 2009

By GailaGoGo

Format:Paperback

I got this book for Christmas (Amazon is SLOW, it's been at my bookstore for almost a week). It's pretty funny (warning: soem of the jokes are raunchy!). The author has lots of practical hints that help you rethink the way you shop and generally get along. I found it pretty helpful. Travel, diet, decorating, finance, and make-up! it's all in there.

Note: This author also has a blog where she gives advice and comments on current events. As my mother used to say, "I like her sass."

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars This is not about budgeting! April 23, 2011

By I. Murray

Format:Paperback

I was VERY VERY disappointed with this book! I checked it out from the library (thank goodness I didn't waste my money on it) in the hopes that it would help me with my constant budgeting issues. This book teaches more about how to splurge than how to budget and it assumes that all of its readers are nymphomaniac, well-off, unintelligent women! I absolutely hated this book!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Nothing new here June 18, 2010

By BemisReviewsBooks

Format:Paperback

Basic, down-to-earth advice on everything from how to score cheap show tickets to how to not get raked over the coals going out to eat. Nothing here you couldn't find with a well tuned internet search. The book just makes it easier and lays it all out in a one stop kind of way. The what to eat/what to cook info is just plain ole common sense. I did find a couple of useful tips in the way of suggested websites and a couple of good nuggets from her travel and shopping sections. She does possess some good insider knowledge in regard to the retail world. Not being a pet owner, I could have done without the chapter on Fido which is heavy on the dog with a little cat thrown in for good measure. The book is written with a certain pizzaz in the sense that we are all endlessly referred to as "bitches" which in the case of the reader is a kind of term of endearment. Hoffman even gets adjective-y with her bitch calling occasionaly referring to us as discerning bitches, cheapskate bitches, frugal bitches, bitchy bitches and the like.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly entertaining, incredibly useful! December 29, 2009

By Reader

Format:Paperback

I laughed on almost every page as I read this book. Hoffman's writing is witty, engaging and edgy. Her voice and tone are snarky and sharp. Not only did I laugh out loud while reading, but I also actually learned some pretty useful tips.

I agree with the previous reviewer -- Hoffman's advice is practical and easy to understand. Because of her tips, I can actually see real savings I will be able to make (without sacrificing any quality of life!).

Also, the book's a great gift. I already have ordered copies for all of my girlfriends.